Gülçin Balamir Coşkun and Ertuğ Tombuş. “Criminalising the Legal Profession: The Case against the Istanbul Bar Association.” Verfassungsblog (April 24, 2025). https://doi.org/10.59704/d644887ea40c5884.

Lawyers and bar associations in Turkey have long faced political and legal pressure. The court case against the Istanbul Bar Association that led to the dismissal of its executive board and the criminal prosecution of board members is another troubling instance of such pressure. While the case may seem as an isolated legal dispute, it reflects a broader effort by the Turkish government to silence dissenting voices, dismantle the rule of law, and target institutions that remain committed to defending democratic values. The case exemplifies how authoritarian regimes increasingly criminalize lawyers and professional organizations that speak out against rights violations. By situating the case within both national and international trends of authoritarianism, we aim to underscore the vital role of lawyers and bar associations in defending human rights, access to justice, and democratic principles—often at great personal and institutional risk.